Force majeure, oft times colloquially expressed as an "act of God," is a comparatively straightforward principle of contract law. Clauses bearing the same moniker lawfully excuse a party from its contractual obligations when an uncontrollable event intervenes, typically a natural disaster, war or political upheaval. Nevertheless, which calamities trigger the protective umbrella of any given force majeure proviso is a matter strictly determined by the paragraph's plain text.